Press Releases

Jazz Aviation Pathways Program celebrates 10 years and adds University of Waterloo and Conestoga

$60,000 in scholarships for safety and professionalism offered to top students

Jazz APP now has 14 agreements with educational institutions and industry organizations

HALIFAX, June 5, 2017 /CNW/ - Jazz Aviation LP ("Jazz") is pleased to celebrate 10 years of the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program ("Jazz APP"), developed in 2007 to create a streamlined career path for the pilot profession in Canada.

Jazz marks this continued commitment to Canada's future professional pilots by announcing new agreements with two Ontario-based educational institutions and their aviation programs – Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning ("Conestoga") and the University of Waterloo ("Waterloo").

"Conestoga and Waterloo both offer high-calibre programs and are excellent additions to the Jazz APP during this milestone year," said Steven Linthwaite, Vice President, Flight Operations at Jazz. "We're pleased that both institutions share our vision of creating a strong future for the pilot profession in Canada and we look forward to furthering our relationship with Conestoga and Waterloo toward these common goals."

These agreements are the first of their kind between Jazz and both Conestoga and Waterloo. The industry-leading Jazz APP program includes collaboration on training and curriculum to promote safety and professionalism, while providing up-to-date information on industry best practices. The Jazz APP is aimed at establishing a direct career path for qualifying graduates including flight simulator evaluations, student scholarships, and the opportunity for top-performing aviation graduates to transition to first officer positions at Jazz.

"We are very pleased to work with Jazz to address Canada's growing need for highly qualified pilots and aviation professionals. This new agreement builds on Conestoga's established strength and reputation in aviation training by providing students with a direct pathway to career success in the industry," said Andrew Schmitz, Chair, School of Liberal Studies at Conestoga.

"The University of Waterloo is pleased to join the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program and welcomes their recognition of the high quality of our aviation graduates," said Ian McKenzie, Director of Aviation at Waterloo. "Waterloo acknowledges the strength that industry collaborations and scholarships provide to learning at Waterloo. We are also celebrating our tenth year, and our seventh graduating class, with our graduates currently flying globally – to every continent, even Antarctica. Members of this year's graduating class are looking forward to the opportunity to be considered for direct entry into a major airline and the Jazz APP offers a four-to-five-year jump start to their aviation career."

The Jazz APP awards $60,000 each year to top students in recognition of safety and professionalism. Each of the 10 Jazz APP educational institutions awards two $3000 scholarships:

The Jazz Aviation Pathway Award for Professionalism. Awarded to a full-time student in his or her final year of the aviation program for outstanding contributions to safety, leadership and professionalism. The Award consists of a $3000 scholarship and an opportunity to participate in the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program selection process. The award recipient is selected by the program chair or designate in consultation with Jazz to ensure the criteria as outlined are respected.

The Jazz Aviation Pathway Award for Professionalism and Diversity. Awarded to a full-time student in his or her final year of the aviation program who has self-identified as Aboriginal, a person with a disability, a visible minority, or female; for outstanding contributions to safety, leadership and professionalism. The Award consists of a $3000 scholarship and an opportunity to participate in the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program selection process. The award recipient is selected by the program chair or designate in consultation with Jazz to ensure the criteria as outlined are respected.

The Jazz APP / Air Canada connection

Jazz is Air Canada's largest regional partner and operates over 700 flights a day as an integral part of Air Canada's strategy and North American market presence. Jazz is a proud operator of Air Canada Express service to 72 destinations in Canada and the United States. Through Jazz's agreement with Air Canada, a professional pilot career with Jazz provides a faster track to flying for Air Canada mainline. Up to 80% of Air Canada's pilots are hired from their Air Canada Express partners; with the majority coming from Jazz.

About the Jazz APP

Since 2007 Jazz has been actively involved in shaping the curriculum and training of Canada's future professional pilots through active engagement with aviation colleges and universities. In 2015, Jazz rebranded these efforts under the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program banner. To-date, Jazz has announced agreements between the Jazz APP and the following aviation colleges and universities and industry organizations:

North America's top five on-time performing regional airlines (2015 and 2014)

Bombardier's Airline Reliability Awards (2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013)

About Jazz Aviation LP

Jazz Aviation LP has a strong history in Canadian aviation with its roots going back to the 1930s. Jazz is owned by Chorus Aviation Inc. As the largest regional carrier in Canada, Jazz has a proven track record of industry leadership and exceptional customer service, and has leveraged that strength to deliver value to all its stakeholders. Jazz operates more flights and flies to more Canadian destinations than any other airline, and has a workforce of approximately 4300 professionals, highly experienced in the challenging and complex nature of regional operations.

There are three divisions operated by Jazz Aviation LP: Air Canada Express, Jazz Technical Services and Jazz.

Air Canada Express: Under a capacity purchase agreement with Air Canada, using the Air Canada Express brand, Jazz provides service to and from lower-density markets as well as higher-density markets at off-peak times throughout North America, with a fleet of 117 Canadian-made Bombardier aircraft.

Jazz Technical Services: Established in May 2016 as a separate division, Jazz Technical Services ('JTS') is dedicated to heavy maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of Bombardier aircraft. JTS provides MRO services to third parties while maintaining the dedication and commitment to its primary customer, Air Canada.

Jazz: Under the Jazz brand, the airline offers charters throughout North America with a dedicated fleet of Bombardier aircraft for corporate clients, governments, special interest groups and individuals seeking more convenience. Jazz also has the ability to offer airline operators services such as ground handling, dispatching, flight load planning, training and consulting.